Thomas Williams was the son of Moses and Elizabeth E. Williams (nee Luke). He was born at Bodfari in about 1888. The family moved to Buckley before 1891 where the census records them at Lane End. The head of the household was Moses Williams 40, Elizabeth his wife 38 (?). Their listed children were John 11, Richard 6, and Thomas 3, born Bodfari.
In the 1901 census the family had moved to The Square. Elizabeth was 52 and a widow. John was 21, Richard 16 and Thomas 13. They were neighbours of Arthur Millington who was also lost in the War.
In the census of 1911, Elizabeth Williams was not listed. Thomas 22, is likely the collier living in a lodging house on Daisy Hill.
From his service Records we know Thomas enlisted 3 Dec 1914 at Wrexham when he was 24 and his trade listed as a miner. He served in France from Dec 1915 to 14 July 1916. He was wounded 10 July 1916 at Mametz Wood, with a bullet in the left shoulder and the physical examination noted that” his arm hangs down useless”. He was transferred from the RWF to the Labour Corps 27 August 1917 and discharged 27 Nov 1917 as “no longer physically fit for war service, very good character, steady hand and reliable”.
During and after the war Thomas made his home with Mr. Jabez Evans, Bank Buildings, Windmill-road, Buckley. Jabez was the father of Joseph Evans who was killed at Loos 25 September 1915. Thomas died at home from double pneumonia 13 February 1919. He was buried with military honours on 17 February 1919. His grave records:
.18470 Private T. Williams RWF died 13th February 1919 age 30
Thomas was reported in the newspaper when he was wounded and when he died.
North Wales Coast Pioneer, August 3 1916
Private Thomas Williams, of the R.W.F., another Buckley boy, was also wounded in the shoulder and arm in France, and is now in the New War Hospital, Bath. He made his home with Mr. Jabez Evans, Bank Buildings, Windmill-road, Buckley.
County Herald, Feb 28, 1919
The residents learned with regret of the death of Private Thomas Williams, R.W F. who passed away quite recently at No 2, Bank Buildings Buckley, where he had made his home. Before joining the Forces, the deceased soldier worked at Gresford collieries. He had served three years, and was severely wounded in France in July, 1916. Private Williams, who was only 26 years of age, succumbed to double pneumonia. The funeral at Bistre Church last week was a pathetic spectacle. At the graveside the choir of the Tabernacle Chapel sang the favourite hymn of the deceased, “Homeland.” Deceased was much respected in the locality. For some considerable time he was a member of the Primitive Methodist Chapel Choir.
